During our recent trip to Ethiopia we went to meet Kebebush in the region of Wolliso, 114km from Addis Ababa.

Kebebush greeted us with the usual Ethiopia hand shake and the three kisses on our cheek. At the age of 36 years Kebebush's life is very hard. With four children to support and a husband who is out of work and no longer living with the family, she is left with the responsibility of caring for her children on her own.

LUCIA is in partnership with SWDA (Siiqqee Women's Development Association) who runs the sheep/ goat rearing project of which Kebebush is a member. On joining the project Kebebush was given two sheep to rear with the condition that she must increase her herd. After eighteen months on the project Kebebush now has eight sheep.

Kebebush told us her life was hard, but she is happy as most of the time she is able to feed her children three meals a day. With a stand pipe in her compound she is able to water the grass and feed her animals. The compound is about the area of six parking spaces with the house centred in the middle which provides living accommodation in the day and sleeping accommodation for everyone including the sheep at night.

I was left with the impression that Kebebush was happy and proud to be independent. I felt honoured to have met such a beautiful, warm and welcoming human being.